Festive Opening Hours – St George’s will be closed to the public from Christmas Eve (Tue 24 Dec) to Sun 12 Jan 2025 inclusive. We will reopen as normal from Monday 13 January 2025.

Box Office phone lines will open Wed 8 Jan – Fri 10 Jan (counter service resumes Wed 15 Jan).

Season’s Greetings from all at St George’s Bristol!

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(1 hour )

National Open Youth Orchestra

A joyful celebration of diversity

This event has passed.

Over twenty young disabled and non-disabled musicians, members of the pioneering National Open Youth Orchestra, take to the stage to play a captivating programme of contemporary classical music, merging the familiar with the unknown.

Alexander Campkin What Fear We Then?
Liam Taylor-West Day One
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (new arr.) Variations on an African Air
Harold Arlen / Traditional (mash-up) Sleeping Rainbows
Yann Tiersen (new arr.) Comptine d’un autre été, l’après-midi
Antonio Vivaldi (new arr.) Spring (decomposed)
Hans Zimmer (new arr.) Time
Oliver Cross Barriers

National Open Youth Orchestra commissions have been written for a wide range of instruments. Alongside traditional instruments, audiences will discover the sounds of the LinnStrument, Seaboard RISE and the Clarion, which can be played with almost any movement of the body. Many of the pieces are ‘modular’ – adaptable for any number of musicians on a wide variety of instruments, evolving through different versions for each ensemble.

The afternoon’s music will be a joyful celebration of diversity as a creative force that can push the boundaries of classical and contemporary music in exciting new directions.

This concert is presented in a relaxed atmosphere suitable for concertgoers with autistic spectrum conditions, those with sensory, communication or learning difficulties and anyone else who would benefit from a less formal environment. There is a relaxed attitude to noise and audience members are free to leave and re-enter the auditorium at any point. There are relaxed seating areas, and there will be a Chill Out area, where a space is made for anyone needing a bit of quiet time before or during the performance.

This concert will be BSL interpreted.

Visit our Access page here

How to Book

This is a Relaxed Performance and the venue has been adapted to maximise access and to suit people who might benefit from a more relaxed environment.

Central Stalls – Reserved Seating Area

The Blue Seats with the ‘I’ on them are intended primarily for wheelchair users to book. They are generally in groups of 3 or 4 and the others in that group are intended for other members of the party.

Side Stalls – Relaxed Seating Areas – Unreserved

Feel free to bring yoga mats, beanbags, cushions or blankets to sit on. Chairs are not provided in this area. When booking your tickets, please remember to let us know if you have any access requirements you would like us to be aware of.

Galleries – Reserved Seating Area

There is no lift to the galleries from the stalls. Access is via stairs with bannisters either side.

Pre-event Food & Drink

Enjoy delicious drinks and light bites from our Café Bar ahead of the event.

Available to pre-order when booking your tickets, you can choose from a selection of house drinks on arrival, accompanied by a board of bread, olives and dips (all Vegetarian). Just select which option – for one or two people – you would like, before checkout.

Your pre-ordered food and drink will be available to collect from the Café Bar from 60 minutes before the event. It’s the perfect way to begin your event experience at St George’s!